White Sox Meet With Dunn’s Agent

While many expect the Cubs to pursue Adam Dunn this offseason, it was their neighbors to the south that met with Dunn's agent recently according to ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine. White Sox GM Kenny Williams had preliminary discussions with Dunn's people to gauge what the free agent first baseman is seeking in terms of a contract. One GM said that three years and $40MM would be the starting point for discussions.

"Anytime you spend time opening up dialogue and building on relationships, it can't help but to forge a deal at some time," said Williams. "Whether that helps this year or not remains to be seen."

"We are in the process right now of determining whether or not adding to the current mix we have would be the most prudent thing to do and gives us the best chance to win a championship or turning some of our players into young, impact guys," he added. "What we don't want to do is we don't want to be in the middle."

The Nationals had a three-year contract offer on the table for the last three months, so it makes sense that three years would be a starting point if he turned that down. Dunn, 31, hit .260/.356/.536 with 38 homers this season, and in terms of OPS it was his least productive season since 2006. I broke down his free agent stock just a few days ago.

That would raise his value noticeably, but he has been very opposed to the idea of DHing. Dunn could really prolong his career as being a DH, I wouldn’t sign him if he is going to be playing the field mostly. Guys his size who don’t DH have horrible shelf lives after about 32/33

Any GM willing to lay out big bucks for Dunn will have to answer the following:
1 – Can I live with his performance against LHP? Will it get worse?
2 – Like many players 30+ years old, is this 31-year old’s best years behind him?
3 – Even as an AL DH, will his body hold up through a multi-year contract ?
4 – How long will it take him to adapt to AL pitchers?
5 – If I am a NL GM and sign Dunn believing he can play the field in his post-30 years, how long before I am committed to the local nuthouse?

except for number 4, that’s what I’ve been saying to everyone who wants the Giants to get him. I just can’t help but see the deal being very regrettable. His best chance to maintain his value is to be a DH